Voices that Inspire: Bertine, a force that dances between two lands.

Bertine Phanord, haitian immigrant, preserves her ancestors' memory and culture through her country's traditional dance.

On October 29th, 30th and 31st, in a partnership with Haiti's embassy, Mawon participated in the event celebrating creole cultures called “Palmares Canta, Conta e Dança”, hosted in Brasília by Fundação Cultural Palmares. The celebration included chats, discussion circles and artistic celebrations. 

Among the presentations, we highlight Bertine's presence, a traditional haitian dance teacher. Living in Brazil for six months, she transforms longing into movement and resistance into art.

While Haiti suffers once more with destructions caused by Melissa hurricane, she stands — dancing for her peoples' memory, life and hope.

“My body speaks for those who can not dance anymore.”

-Bertine Phanord

From religious celebrations to everyday moments,  the haitian traditional dance is present as a strong element of the national culture. It's rythms mix African and Amerindian traditions, posessing a central role in the celebration of their people's identities. 

Living in Rio de Janeiro, Bertine offers dance classes for people who are interested in haitian rythms along Rodney Jean Marc Corsàrio, percussion teacher (drum, banbou, kone e kata). The classes happen every saturday, from 17 to 19h, at Espaço Cultural África-Brasil e Artes (Avenida Mém de Sá, 39, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ) for the monthly fee of BRL 250,00. The inscriptions are made through the following formulary: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel9V4Oxe9eH_KBrX1aTdwOK6Cg1V-QzRw80b7v7Yg1bUicPg/viewform

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